DeFalco/Frenz Retrospective: Thor #391


 

Writer: Tom DeFalco
Penciler: Ron Frenz

Synopsis: Thor and Spider-Man battle The Mongoose. 

Comments: This has some good continuity in that Spider-Man is wearing the costume he got from a costume shop in Germany, in Spider-Man vs. Wolverine, which was written by James Owsley.  The costume is almost identical to his regular one, except "Die Spinne" (The Spider) is seen on the back spider emblem. Spider-Man wore the costume at Mary Jane's request in Amazing Spider-Man #300 because the cloth black costume reminded her too much of Venom. He received a new costume in Web of Spider-Man #39 when the German costume started falling apart. In addition to the cover, the words "Die Spinne" can be seen in several panels in this story. 








It always seemed awkward that Thor had to carry around his hammer in a bag when he was Sigurd Jarlson. Not as inconspicuous as a cane for Don Blake. Dan Jurgens had the hammer disappear and reappear when Thor turned into Jake Olson in a later identity he assumed. 



First appearance of Eric Masterson, who will become an important figure in Thor's life. I've already covered Aloysius R. Jamesley in another blog, so I'll leave it at that. 





Straight from the animal safari box.



Mongoose was the guy Absorbing Man and Titania tried to pick up from the airport in Amazing Spider-Man #283, the last issue DeFalco and Frenz worked on. This issue let them tie up that loose end. 



Eric Masterson receives the injury that will make him similar to Thor's alter ego, Don Blake. 

                                                         


Spider-Man: Hey Thor, you know I once held up a huge weight in Amazing Spider-Man #33? Oh right, I need to reinforce the foundation. 










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